The Awakening
In Kate Chopin's "The Awakening," Edna Pontellier, the protagonist, is searching for her identity for most of the novel. Her identity is defined by the awakening of her soul; not only her soul, but also the awakening of her social life, spiritual life, sexuality, and her role in society. Edna transforms herself from an obedient housewife to a person who is alive with strength of character and emotions which she no longer has to repress. This transformation is shaped by her surroundings. Her behavior is more shocking and horrifying because of her position in society, it is that position which causes her to feel restrained and makes her yearn to rebel. Edna, a wealthy New Orleans housewife, attempts to find the deepest truth about herself by conforming to society's norms. She marries a well-respected man, Leonce, and bears him children. However, Edna discovers that she wants more out of life; something about her marriage is not allowing her to achieve fulfillment. Through her relationships, confrontations, and conflicts with other characters, Edna discovers that her deepest truth is her need for independence from those that hold her back and she honors her deepest truth by exerting the power of he
Confrontations with Alcee Arobin and Robert Lebrun lead to Edna's sexual awakening. Edna meets Robert first at Grand Isle. "Robert each summer at Grand Isle had constituted himself the devoted attendant of some fair dame or damsel. Sometimes it was a young girl, again a widow; but as often as not it was some interesting married woman."(pg. 53). Knowing that Robert was a "pimp/player" during the summer, everyone decides to not take him seriously. After spending some time with Robert, she "was beginning to realize her position in the universe as a human being, and to recognize her relations as an individual to the world within and about her."(pg. 57) This is when Edna decides that she wants to spend a day with Rob without letting her husband know. Later on, Robert decides to go to Vera Cruz, Mexico because of a job opportunity; however, he does not tell Edna about it because he loves her too much to hurt her feelings. Once he leaves, Edna has an epiphany. The very first chords which Mademoiselle Reisz struck upon the piano sent a keen tremor down Mrs. Pontellier's spinal column. It was not the first time she had heard an artist at the piano. Perhaps it was the first time she was ready, perhaps the first time her being was tempered to take an impress of the abiding truth...She saw no pictures of solitude, of hope, of longing, or of despair. But the very passions themselves were aroused within her soul, swaying it, lashing it, as the waves daily beat upon her splendid body. She trembled, she was choking, and the tears blinded her. She felt as if a mist had been lifted from her eyes, enabling her to look upon and comprehend the significance of life, that monster made up of beauty and brutality. But among the conflicting sensations which assailed her, there was neither shame nor remorse. There was a dull pang of regret because it was not the kiss of love which had inflamed her, because it was not love which had held this cup of life to her lips. (pg. 139) This statement describes Edna's first passionate kiss of her life. She does feel a little guilty, but she does not regret it at all. Arobin derives Edna's sexual awakening with this passionate kiss, which makes
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Approximate Word count = 1475
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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